Wallaroo
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ID#12
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Classification: Mammal
Endangered Status: Lower risk Habitat: rocky outcrops, places with stony ground The Wallaroo is a 39-55 inch marsupial. It is a big animal, males weighing 50-100 pounds and females 40-50. They have large, strong legs that allow them to leap long distances. The Wallaroo is usually brown, tan, black or grey. They have bare black noses and large ears. It has smaller limbs than other kangaroo species, which is thought to be an adaption for jumping on rocks. They have shaggy fur and thick, short tails. Wallaroos live in rocky outcrops, or places with stony ground. The Wallaroo lives by itself and is an herbivore. They graze on grass, plants, etc. They are also diurnal, awake during the day and asleep at night. Wallaroos, like humans, can breed throughout the year. The gestation period for the Wallaroo is 32 days. A baby Wallaroo is called a joey. There is only one joey born, and even though it is blind at first, it finds a way into the pouch and will stay there until 6 months of age. It still returns there until sometime between nine months and one year. A female Wallaroo can be pregnant and have a joey in its pouch at the same time. There are many interesting facts about Wallaroos. For example, to survive when there is a drought, the Wallaroo can dig up to 3 feet (one meter) deep to find water. When a joey is born, it is no bigger that the size of a peanut. Out of all kangaroo species, Wallaroos have best adapted to their hot dry habitat. Also, Wallaroos have a tapered tail, which they use as a third leg while setting and as a rudder while jumping. |
